Just moved to Colorado, anyone know the best horse barns/tack shops to visit?

[BinkyBoo]

Hi! I just moved to Aurora, Colorado this week and there are horse boarding stables right next door. I am getting settled in and once I have gotten used to the area I was going to buy a nice horse and board it next door. Though I would like to know where there are any tack shops around here. I’ve not seen any so far and was hoping there was a place that was more small and locally run instead of Dover. Since I want to be able to meet some people through that. Since I’ve just moved here I don’t have any friends. So I was hoping to find some horse friends through the tack shops and maybe find a barn to go to for lessons or boarding that is of a good price. I came here from Downstate NY so I had to deal with 800 a month or up for board and 100 bucks for a half hour lesson, so if anyone knows anywhere that has board or lessons for less than 350, that would be AWESOME!!!

Plus anyone around my age(22) that sees this an lives in the Denver/Aurora area, talk to me!!! I am in need of some horse friends especially when I get my horse, there must be places to meet up and go riding at it will be awesome!! It will be really nice to finally make some new friends in the area!

[IPEsq]

There’s the Dover in Parker.

A new shop just opened last weekend in the Broomfield/Thornton area.
http://www.coloradotackandsupplyco.com/Contact-Us.html

There’s also Fox Creek in Boulder, which has a mobile unit.

Exceptional Equestrian operates out of a mobile unit (currently at Thermal and Stock Show, I believe) but has a more permanent trailer as well at the Horse Park.

You can probably find pasture or small group paddock board or partial care board for that price, but, coming from a fellow east coast native, it may be worth it to look into the 600-800 places. Ask me how I know. I don’t think you are going to get any sort of full care (meaning, in this area, hay thrown, possibly grain (you may have to supply your own), stall picked at least 5 days a week(!), may or may not include turnout or blanketing) for 350/mo if you want a box stall.

My experience is up in the Boulder area, where the prices are pretty darn high IMO given the condition of the facilities, amount of hay and shavings (if you have a box stall, no shavings typically for runs with shelters) that are included. I think you are going to be able to find some nicer facilities for that dollar amount in the Aurora/Littleton/Centennial/Parker areas. You can find lesson packages that are pretty cheap (some down to even around $30/lesson) but the fancy barns will charge top dollar for instruction–though I have not seen any place as high as $100/half hour!

Also, when wanting to join a barn for the social aspect, do take into account commuting time. Aurora is a pretty big area, and driving around the metro area can take a really long time especially if you are on the roads during typical commuting time. The more the hassle, the less likely you are to go to the barn, which means you aren’t meeting your social goals even if it works for your training goals.

[drmgncolor]

I second what IPEsq says. I am also up in the Boulder area and actually keep my horse about 20 minutes east, even though there are several farms around my house. You get more for your money by leaving Boulder County. I full board in a box stall with turnout, blanketing, and 3 arenas for about 500/month.

Aurora is a huge area, so where you want to look for a farm is really dependent on what part of Aurora you live in because metro traffic is usually the pits, especially so during rush hour.

I have not found a place with full board for 350, but you may find pasture board or a 1/2 lease for that.

Welcome to Colorado!

[Bells]

Down Under Saddle Supply is in Aurora: http://www.downunderweb.com/ I’ve had fun poking around in there.

[GucciJumper]

Once upon a horse in Franktown is a pretty decent consignment store. It’s about 10 minutes away from dover.

The tack shack in littleton is also pretty good. I just go down to the consignment area and you can find good deals there too.

Also murdochs is a great place to stop for fly sprays and wormers and other little horse care items.

My barn in Littleton is very social and is under $500 for a stall and lessons run about $50 for a group hour I think. Message me if you are interested.

[rosijet]

I board my riding horse in Aurora and would be happy to share the good, bad and ugly. Feel free to PM me. And welcome to Colorado! I moved from PA in 1987 and have never regretted it. This year is sucking a bit weather wise from what I’m used to though.

[Fergs]

Welcome to CO! Having lived most of my life in MD and VA, I was super excited to get out West, where everything horsey was so much more affordable :lol:

I pay much more for everything here – boarding, shoeing, HAY – but the horse scene is good and I love my CO riding friends.

Dover in Parker is an excellent store, and I also hit up Once Upon a Horse on occasion. If you head north, check out Happy Horse in Ft. Collins. The owner is a great independent saddle fitter and they carry nice stuff. They also have a mobile unit that goes to shows.

[RMJacobs]

OK, folks, I’ve lived in the Parker area for over 20 years, had horses just outside town for 11 years, and I don’t know where Dover is in Parker??? Someone please enlighten me!

We used to have more tack shops around here but so many have closed. Parker Feed is still there, and Murdoch’s moved in a couple of years ago, which has been great.

I don’t spend much time in Aurora and I don’t board, so I’m not much help on that end of things–sorry!

Rebecca

[rustbreeches]

Geez, I’m in BFE and even I’ve been to the Dover a couple times! Mostly I just tack shop back home in VA.

[Fergs]

[QUOTE=RMJacobs;7960445]
OK, folks, I’ve lived in the Parker area for over 20 years, had horses just outside town for 11 years, and I don’t know where Dover is in Parker??? Someone please enlighten me![/QUOTE]

It’s in the same shopping center as Target – kind of around the corner on the NW side. Even my husband thinks it’s a gorgeous store!

[Long_Spot]

It’s off of 20 Mile Rd.

[twelvegates]

I’ll second Happy Horse Tack in Fort Collins, and they have a mobile trailer that goes to the shows. Nice people, very helpful, very cool store and a top-notch saddle fitter as the owner.

Welcome to Colorado!

[EKLay]

Another vote for Happy Horse in Fort Collins! Lovely people.

[Sacred_Petra]

I add another vote for Happy Horse as well. The people who work there are very pleasant and helpful. I also think they have great selection, especially in their bits and breeches.

[Appsolute]

I live in California and have been to the Dover store in Parker - TWICE!! Once upon a horse as well (but when I was at Dover a few weeks ago I think I over heard that it moved?)

Any way, I will be following this thread. Mr, and I are considering re-locating to the Denver area.

Does any one have comments about living / boarding in Golden?

And as for the weather - been to CO a couple of times - last trip was new years week, and yes, there was a bit of weather! -15 one morning in Fort Collins was a bit much - and then there was almost getting snowed in Golden - the road out was ice / snow and getting deeper by the min!

But everyone assured me it was not “normal” weather - constantly reminded that CO gets more sunny days than Orange County CA

[RMJacobs]

Thanks, Fergs and Long Spot! Now I need to go shopping…not that I really need anything, but that won’t stop me.

I spend time in Fort Collins as well, so I’ll have to check out Happy Horse.

Rebecca